6 Cruelty Free Spring Fragrances*

The weather here this week has been nothing short of beautiful. We got out a few days ago and walked for hours along the side of a river, to a field of cows, down a rocky muddy riverbank and back home again after laying on the grass in the park for a couple of hours. My freckles have well and truly come out! 

As much as I love this climate, I'm SO not cut out for it. My northern blood, (plus English, French, Scottish and Irish) is totally against me when it comes to the heat and my temperature resembles that of a volcano after a little walk in the sun, hahaha.

I've picked a couple of my favourite cruelty free fragrances for Spring to cover up that afternoon hike BO, including some scents supposedly for men, so this might also serve as a gift guide for someone special or simply for yourself! There's nothing wrong with women wearing cologne especially when the smell makes you want to swoon. 

Pacifica French Lilac Roll-On Perfume

Coming in a perfectly sized bottle, this roll on perfume has delicate floral tones, subtle yet statement and perfect for Spring. French lilac with notes of Magnolia, Heliotrope, Ylang Ylang and Nectarine. I also love the coconut perfume but couldn't find it anywhere online! Definitely try it if you see Pacifica in stores.

Any Brand Sweet Orange Essential Oil

Pacifica's perfumes are made with essential oil blends, but you don't always have to purchase fancy perfume to smell amazing. Try diluting a little Sweet Orange essential oil (my favourite next to lavender) and dabbing it on your pulse points for the best scent. This fragrance is also good for boosting your mood! It's sweet, fresh, tangy and warming.

L'Occitane Men's Aftershave

As I said at the start, 'mens' fragrances aren't always just for men. There's a little L'Occtaine shop near me in the Lake District with a huge array of incredible smelling products from hand creams to aftershaves- aromatic, slightly spicy with hints of Shea and Birch, this L'Occitan Balm is perfect for Spring, perhaps in time with Fathers Day (June 18th for anyone panicking). Soothing for the skin and fortifying against irritants, this is a treat!

Lush Sikkim Girls

Described as 'Exotic and Seductive', this warm and exotic blend smells great on anyone, with notes of frangipani, jasmine and tuberose. Lush's fragrances are truly underrated and not as talked about as their famous bath bombs. but definitely worth testing next time you stop by. Plus this packaging is to DIEEE FOR.

Clive Christian 1872 Masculine Edition

If you lean more towards spicy perfumes, Clive Christian have the perfect infusion of citrus, sandalwood and spice. This luxury perfume is perfect for men but as I mentioned before, women can wear 'masculine' fragrances too! They also have a feminine edition, a little lighter with floral notes, still harnessing that citrus aroma. 

Next Signature Eau De Toilette

Quite an old fragrance (that I've been assured by Next is cruelty-free), but one that my boyfriend hides in his chest of drawers (from me, hahaha). I love this scent when used subtly, and it's so inexpensive. A sophisticated blend of fresh citrus fruits, pepper and precious woods, which I sprayed on myself only this morning. 

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All of these fragrances are cruelty-free, and each brand has more that are definitely worth checking out! I find perfume is always something you buy for someone else, or receive as a gift but sometimes it's nice to choose your own signature scent. Right now I'm obsessed with the smell of my favourite Nag Champa incense. Not so much while it's burning but the smell that sticks around later on is so beautiful!

What's your favourite Spring-time scent?

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*This post contains sponsored content. All words and opinions are my own and everything is cruelty-free as usual! :) See here for my full disclaimer.

Summer Homeware Haul | Fishergate Shopping Centre

The last haul I did here was SO long ago, you'd think I never buy anything (hello student living), but since I'm moving out of my current home in a couple of weeks, I took a trip to Fishergate Shopping Centre again to browse the homeware. I'm forever swooning over interior blogs such as Anna's Don't Cramp My Style and crazy plant IG's (#PlantsonPink, anyone?), so much so that the excitement is bubbling in me to almost boiling point. More than ready to decorate my own space, representing me beautifully.

I thought you'd appreciate seeing some of the homeware pieces I picked up! Trying to stick to my eco-conscious truths and bare in mind that buying new isn't always the best option, if you know me you'll know to find me in the trinkets section of any charity shop, so the materials these are made of are chosen with the Earth in mind!

Floral Handpainted Lantern | TK Maxx

How gorgeous is this lantern? It has a space for a candle, of which I chose a fresh 'Coastal Blossom' one but I'm going to pop in again for a bag of tealights soon. The door has a tiny hinge to keep shut and any heat exits through the top, where a copper handle is delicately placed. This has been following me room-to-room lately but once I move, it's going to complete the living-room! There were more variations on this lantern, so perhaps I'll collect a couple more one day.

Flamingo Oven Gloves | TK Maxx

Alex will kill me for spilling his secret but he chose these. I'm truly impressed with his eye for colour haha! I love these especially as I've been using tea-towels to lift trays out of the oven, a pet peeve of mine. They'll also be pretty good to hinder any tattoo itching in the future ;)

Bella Toaster | TJ Hughes

Around the corner from TK Maxx in Fishergate Shopping Centre is TJ Hughes, a lot of T's, I know. This is another store filled to the brim with brilliant homeware and some essential electrical appliances. Not the most beautiful of toasters but practical and a colour palette to compliment any paint job, this Bella Toaster will make a perfect replacement for my current toaster which flings bread three feet into the air, without fail, EVERY. TIME. It feels good to no longer have to catch my toast mid-flight.

Coastal Blossom Candle | TK Maxx

I was so impressed with the range of candles, but this one stood out the most. At a very affordable (I believe it was around £3), made with soya instead of beeswax, this candle brings hints of Spring on even the rainiest days. Placed in my new floral lantern, the glow keeps me cosy at night, helps me get a good night's sleep and it's calming aroma lingers until I doze off. It'll be a crying shame when it runs out.

'Make shift' Herb and Tea Rack | TK Maxx

Okay so I know this isn't made to store herbs on, but I have far more herbs and spices than I do cupcakes, unfortunately, and Tuppaware just isn't cutting it for me in the kitchen storage department anymore! This wicker rack is the perfect size for storing my spices on with enough room for tea, coffee and sugar at the bottom. I love the circle shape and handle at the top as it means I can spin it around for cooking with ease, hehe. 

Glass Storage Jars | TK Maxx

So at this point it's becoming obvious how great TK Maxx's homeware range is. Something that we always have at my family home is tea and coffee tins. I'm thinking of using a couple of Posca pens to illustrate these jars in accordance with our future kitchen! A nice personal, beautiful yet basic touch. 

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A little but sufficient homeware haul to get me started in filling out my new place! Minimalism has been on my mind a lot lately and the need to declutter my life has washed over me again. In the next couple of weeks, before I even think about moving out, 100% of the clutter I own is leaving!

As I said after my anaphylaxis experience, I have too much 'stuff'. Not enough of my possessions are things that I own because they're necessary or truly beautiful. Clearing out is also so good for your mental state. Have you ever tried to work in a messy room? It's haaaard.

What do you think makes a house more homely? Do you have any tips or essentials I should know of? 

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p.s: sorry for the quality of photos in this post! It was a very rainy day and I currently live in a house-share so it was hard to photograph in situe! Will update these photos and show you how I've decorated when I move. 
*This post is sponsored by Fishergate SC. All words and opinions are my own- for my full disclaimer see here.

How To Pack For a Trip In Under 30 Minutes

You might remember that in March, the lovely Joana sent over a guest post with some handy hair hacks for Spring. This post went down so well and hopefully helped a lot of you (I know I've used a couple of her haircare tips since), so when a lady called Angela reached out to me with a post on how to pack quickly, I thought you guys would appreciate seeing this too. 

Festival season is coming up and so many of us are off on our jollies soon so this post couldn't have come at a more appropriate time! Hopefully you find some tips that help you here (and don't forget to tell me about your trips, so I can live vicariously through them).

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Once in a while, everyone deserves to take some time off from work and busy everyday life and organize a dream vacation for themselves. It doesn’t matter if you like to soak up the sun at the beach, hike through the woods and mountains, check out famous landmarks, museums, architectural miracles or parks, it’s always nice to relax and do what you enjoy. Every now and then, comes a time when a sudden trip surprises us, but don’t panic, because there’s an easy solution for that. Here’s how to pack within in 30 minutes and start your trip stress-free. 

Choose appropriate luggage ✔

The first thing you should choose is the bag you’re going to carry. Pick a size that suits you, but make sure it’s comfortable and mobile. If you’re hopping on a plane, don’t forget to check the suitcase weight limit with the airport. If you choose to travel by bus or by train, it’s better to pack your things in a big backpack. On the other hand, you have an unlimited number of options if you travel by car, but always choose the most practical bag or suitcase.

Pick your wardrobe ✔

When it comes to wardrobe, the first thing you need to think about is the weather! If you’re going somewhere sunny and warm you’re in luck, because you will easily pack everything you need. Though the one thing you really need is underwear. You simply cannot start any trip without it. Also, no matter where you go, it’s always smart to bring a light jacket, waterproof if possible. 

Don’t waste too much time deciding on different clothing items. Each of us has a couple of favourite outfits and unique pieces of jewellery, so take those on your trip! 

Don’t forget comfy shoes ✔

Footwear is very important while traveling. The last thing you need is sore legs and feet full of blisters. Those can only make you nervous and ruin your trip, so make sure you pack some comfortable walking shoes.

Pack your toiletries ✔

The best thing is to always be stocked up on toiletries. Every time you go shopping you can replenish your stash of hygiene products, so that you can always be ready. This time, choose smaller packages of shampoos, toothpaste, hand-sanitizer, suncream and other toiletries that are perfect for travelling. Different brands pack their products in travel-friendly packaging. Don't forget eco-friendly options too!

Always bring your favourite natural hand cream to keep your hands hydrated and a lip balm to protect your lips. Stock up on these products and you’ll never be caught unprepared.

Bring your camera ✔

We all claim we will never forget the things we saw on our travels, but it’s always good to permanently record them with a photograph. Bring your phone and camera and don’t forget chargers! Don’t forget to take out your camera and take a picture of your favourite places, maybe you will never get to see them again.

Don’t forget!

Check twice to see if you've packed these necessities:

☑ Tickets
☑ Passport/visa
☑ Money/credit cards
☑ Medicines
☑ Chargers
☑ Necessary paperwork
☑ List of emergency contacts

There you have it, tips on how to pack for a trip in 30 minutes. Now the only thing you have left is to decide on a destination and start packing. Have a nice trip!

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Thank you Angela for a helpful post, one that I'll definitely be referring back to when I'm heading out camping this summer! 

What are your packing essentials when you go away? Is there anything you always seem to forget? 

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Fishergate Shopping Centre | 'The Full Monty' UD Makeover Experience

Last week I had my Urban Decay make-up done at Debenhams in Fishergate Shopping Centre. I booked in for the 'Full Monty' beauty treatment, done by the lovely Sarah! We had a joke about how that's the best name ever (duh) and she got to work glamming my face up the way only the ladies of Urban Decay know how. I booked in for a 45 minute session- a full face make-over and was introduced to the beautiful Urban Decay x Jean-Michel Basquiat palettes which actually come out on the 11th May. (being the art lover I am I was stunned and so excited to try these shades a week early!)

I chose to work with 'Tenant' for it's bright colours from greens to blues, to a luxurious purple. The box is a reprint of Jean-Michel's artworks and is made of canvas,  a super lovely touch. Not only that but you can hang the palettes up like little paintings!

The treatment experience: 

When I first got there I had very minimal make-up on: brows, a little concealer and clear mascara. Sarah cleaned my face before hydrating my skin with the Quick Fix spray, which I now HAVE to get my hands on. It's infused with vitamin B6 and left my skin feeling hydrated but not oily.

Rarely am I without make-up in public so on the way there I felt a lil' nervous but to my surprise, having my make-up taken off in front of passers by wasn't as scary I thought because Sarah was so friendly and made me feel so comfortable! It was like getting ready at a friend's house, except y'know, you're being pampered. 

We started on my eyes first, using some gorgeous transitional shades called Foxy and Riff. We then dove straight into the incredible (highly pigmented and bold) Tenant palette, heading for emerald greens, a daring but wonderful choice indeed.

Usually I'd avoid bold colours on my eyes, mainly because I'm afraid I won't be able to pull it off but after this session I feel inspired to dive into the brighter shades for Summer. We then moved on to my skin, a clever make-up trick is doing this second because it means wiping away any eyeshadow droppage will be easy!

I actually kept the Naked Skin products afterwards, redeemable with the money I paid for the whole treatment! This is so amazing because it essentially means you're just purchasing products, while getting a lil' make-over and trying out a couple of samples on the side for free. Honestly the Naked Skin foundation is my new love. 

I've been mixing one pump of it with a dab of the Kat Von D foundation I got for Christmas for instant full coverage. Alone, the product is beautifully buildable and light!

The brushes you see in these photos are actually made from recycled plastic bags and tins. You'd never guess it, they're so soft! If you've been reading here for a while, you'll know I'm really trying to stop using disposable, single-use plastics so this made me super happy. Thanks for giving a damn about the environment, UD.

Moving onto defining my face, we discussed contouring (something everyone seems to have adopted into their everyday make-up, which is great) but sometimes you want a little less definition on the cheeks and more focus on the eyes, which is what we are going for with this look. Blending very little dark cream concealer in on my cheeks before going in with the Naked Flushed palette for blusher, bronzer and a little highlight, I was lucky enough to snag a couple of highlighting tips to boot.

The look was completed with lipstick in the shade 'Uptight'.

The Send off and samples: 

After some more lovely conversation, Sarah had put a box together for me full of little goodies and samples including the famous All Nighter Long-Lasting setting spray, Vice liquid lipstick samples, their liquid eyeliner in the darkest shade, Perversion and a 24/7 Glide on Lip Pencil in Crimson. I also got my hands on some sample shades of eyeshadow which I haven't tried before! I can't wait to do a warm look with of some of the pink tones. 

On this day I was wearing a pink flower in my hair, you might have seen it in a lot of my Instagram photos lately. When I looked in the mirror I noticed that all the colours Sarah had chosen really complimented my clothes and my skin tone. I was so happy to wear such a perfect look for myself with very little direction!

The finished look and cruelty free debate: 

When I got home I took the flower out of my hair and punked up because I felt sassy af. Totally repping the Urban Decay vibe, who are cruelty-free despite their parent company, L'Oreal. 

There's quite a big debate about whether cruelty-free customers should buy from brands that are owned by testing brands but to me, it's like going to McDonald's and buying a veggie burger. You're simply showing them that more people are interested in this cruelty-free option and and proves to others how great the cruelty-free option is! So... if you order the vegan option at a typically meat-based restaurant, you're still funding the restaurant, but telling them that you'll only buy into their vegan option. Does that make sense?

Products don't have to be tested on animals to be amazing and hopefully one day L'Oreal will go completely cruelty-free themselves if enough of us tell them WE WANT IT!

I put snippets of this whole experience on my Instagram story. The 45 minute treatment ended up taking maybe an hour or more because it was quite quiet in the store, so Sarah had time to work on me for longer which was so sweet. This was a great experience, I can't wait to book another one!

Have you ever had your make up done at a counter or would you ever consider it? What's your favourite Urban Decay product? Let me know where you stand on this cruelty-free debate too, I'd love to talk!

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*this experience was gifted to me by Fishergate Shopping Centre but all words, photos and opinions are my own! See my full disclaimer here.

Life Lately | Everything is Changing

There have been so many thoughts in my head lately that it's been a struggle to whittle them down into something readable for you guys, so I've tried to break them down into sections. This post might be a little bit of a ramble but the past week or two have been life changing, mind changing, I feel like my whole character and things I define myself by are morphing into something bigger and better. Here's a few notes for you:

Gratitude :

Lately gratitude has become not an act or a feeling of gratefulness but an emotion, a thing that I am. Surrounded by deadlines and stress currently, I've never felt more grateful in my life. Not in the sense that I was brought up to feel grateful (for food in my belly, a roof over my head) but grateful for the times when I'm simply nothing, but okay. Grateful for the simplest of days and the absence of anxiousness. 

Every single morning has felt like a blessing lately- coffee, little slits of sunshine through my curtains and the chance to experience a new day all over again. Running warm water over my face in the shower and how good a stretch feels after a long sleep, the sound of birds and my plants growing one by one on the windowsill, little by little everyday. SO grateful.

Moving :

It's that time of year again where I need to move house, so Alex and I have been looking for the perfect place. We viewed a place a few days ago that was lovely but a little small and they wanted us to move in a lot earlier than we could so that's most likely a noooooo, fingers crossed we find a place we love within the next month!

Necessities :

Along with moving house comes a huge throw out. I'm saving this for the week after my final deadline (I finish my degree this month, crazy!) so I'll be getting rid of so much unnecessary stuff. Honestly, the happier and more grateful I get for the fundamentals in life, the less I want all of this rubbish I seem to have accumulated since my last declutter. I don't think I'll be buying as much after this throw-out, and knowing that feels so great.

Attraction / the art of allowing / coincidences :

I don't know if you're familiar with the 'law of attraction' or the 'art of allowing', but to put it very, very simply, it's the theory or idea that you can attract what you want in life by feeling and acting like you already have it. Whether it be money, friends, love, happiness, material items or ideas. Have you ever made a bet with yourself that something is going to happen to you and then it does? Or dreamt about something to have it happen to you? Sounds like some hippie bullsh*t but whether they're coincidences or not, I'm happy to have them happen to me. 

For example, a couple of weeks ago I was writing about missing old friends and out of nowhere a week later, an old friend who'd moved to the other side of the world was randomly back for a few days and asked to meet up! Another, I'd been worrying about jobs and graduating and an awesome opportunity came up that aligns with me leaving uni!

I'd been stressing about not being able to afford the little things and a week later I literally found some money, enough to cover most of my food shopping for the week. I also came across a one-off job, working at a drive-in cinema for a night (see above). All of this has happened since opening myself up to these experiences. All simply coincidences? Maybe, but I don't really care to question. :)

The World Map in my head / travel :

Travelling has it's grips on my mind again. Man I need to get out of this country. A camping trip is planned for summer already which is perrrrfect, I can't wait to be out in the wild with a campfire and nothing but some fabric between a sleeping me and the big-wide-world. As much as I adore festivals, I think this year I'll be giving them all a miss and heading somewhere with sunshine and lots of greenery instead!

The Good and the Bad :

I've come to realise that good and bad situations only appear either good or bad because of your perspective. Something that may be good for one person may be bad for someone else- one man's trash is another man's treasure sort of thing. When things that seem terrible happen to me, now, instead of throwing a fit and letting myself sit in sourness all day I put it into perspective. 

For example, I dropped my phone today and immediately got annoyed, then thought and realised that if a crack in my phone screen was one of my biggest problems then I have it pretty good. It all links back to gratitude I think, to just own a phone or have a bedroom floor to drop it on is pretty great, haha. It's all about being mindful of your thoughts and choosing what's worth feeling angry and upset about. 

Stop worrying about things that haven't happened yet and when you get mad realise that nothing externally has changed, that your emotions are something you build up in your head.

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Everything is changing every day and I can't say for certain that a week from now I'll be the same, but that's what I love about learning right now. My mind is open and I'm soooo ready for more experiences, new days, travelling, appreciating the little things and finding joy within myself instead of things! 

I hope you're well and enjoyed this post! It's a little bit of a ramble and might not make a lot of sense to some people haha. Let me know what you've been thinking about lately!

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CF Skincare Review | Janjira, Maskorea & Homemade

The final three weeks of my degree have arrived and stress leaves me no stranger to break-outs. I've never been one to suffer from acne or dry skin but I've noticed that stress definitely makes a difference and always leaves my face looking tired or dull, which makes me more stressed out! So, for the past couple of weeks I've been making little adjustments to my skincare regime, including throwing some luxury everyday masks in there for a little well earned pampering!

Janjira has been one of my skincare loves since this post, last July. A taste of Thailand spa in my own bathroom at whatever time of day (usually morning) I fancy. I've been using this Marine Radiant White Instant Bubble Mask a couple of times a week in the mornings to rejuvenate my tired skin and get some oxygen in there! 

The formula is silky, light and plentiful. You only need 2-3 pumps for a full face lather which instantly bubbles into a light foam and infuses your skin with anti-oxidants, reduces the appearance of dark patches or spots and gives a natural glow to your skin. 

I honestly love this product so much. It's also great to use in the shower when you let your conditioner set in, and removes any left-over dirt after make-up removal. My boyfriend loves it too and he has severe eczema on his forehead, so this product is suitable for the most sensitive of skin!

Another face mask I tried out is this Maskorea 'Too Many Late Nights' sheet mask. I was blown away by this product and would purchase again for sure. My skin felt so, so soft, clean and clear after using this and I didn't wear make-up for a day or two afterwards because I felt too fresh to slap my make-up back on top!

This is the first sheet mask I've ever tried so I have nothing to compare it to, but after hearing about Korean skincare trends I couldn't resist giving it a go. This mask comes with pre and post care which was a lovely luxury touch. I left the single-use mask on for about 25-30 minutes and could instantly tell the difference as soon as it was off. My skin felt super hydrated and elastic, pretty flawless if I do say so myself, haha. 

Maskorea also offer two other sheet masks for different skin types / needs. I chose this one because of the looming deadlines and sleepless nights I've endured lately, I'm sure you third years, university students or workaholics can relate! 

I'd recommend the Maskorea mask as a treat for a night of self-loving and Janjira's bubble mask is a worthy investment for the summer months and an everyday treat. 

I've also been enjoying this homemade turmeric face mask lately (without the honey and using dairy-free milk of course), packed with anti-oxidants and environmentally friendly! For a natural exfoliator, mix a teaspoon of granulated sugar with your favourite oil (coconut works a TREAT) and rub gently on your face, then wash away! As always, these masks are cruelty free.

What are your favourite masks and skin care tips? Drop me a line!

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*this post may contain products sent to me for review. All words and opinions are my own! See my full disclaimer for more.